What Happens To Your Body When Cholesterol Is High?

• Low-density lipoprotein is a "bad" cholesterol that creates a fatty buildup (plaque) on the inside of your arteries, raising the risk of heart disease and stroke. Doctors are particularly concerned about elevated levels of LDL.
• High Density lipoprotein or HDL is a good cholesterol that absorbs and carries excess cholesterol to your liver. It is then eliminated from the body by the liver. If your HDLs are low, you will have excess cholesterol in your bloodstream. 

• Family history: Typically, the cholesterol levels of family members are comparable. This implies that having harmful cholesterol levels may be influenced by your genes.
• Unhealthy Diet: Your cholesterol may be raised or lowered by certain food items. Eating foods high in saturated fats increases bad cholesterol in your body. You should consume no more than 10% of your daily calories from saturated fats.
• Tobacco usage and smoking: Smoking increases your “bad cholesterol” (LDL) and lowers your “good cholesterol” (HDL).
• High stress: Stress raises certain hormones like corticosteroids in our body. Hormonal changes brought on by stress lead to the production of cholesterol in the body.
• Alcohol consumption: Consuming too much alcohol might cause an increase in total cholesterol.
• Sedentary lifestyle and being overweight: You won't have enough “good cholesterol” in your body if you work a desk job or spend a lot of time sitting down. Lack of physical activity and being overweight can raise your cholesterol.
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and hypothyroidism lead to increased bad cholesterol in your body.

• Narrowing of the arteries: An excessive amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can build up on the inside of your blood vessels and arteries, causing them to gradually narrow. Due to the buildup of cholesterol deposits (plaque), the arteries become harder and narrower, restricting the blood flow to the heart. 
• High blood pressure: High cholesterol and high blood pressure are related. Your arteries harden and constrict as a result of calcium buildup and cholesterol plaque. Therefore, the effort required by your heart to pump blood through them is greater. Your blood pressure may rise as a result.
• Peripheral arterial disease: High cholesterol can also damage arteries in the arms or legs due to the reduced blood flow caused by cholesterol plaque in your arms or legs. This leads to pain or cramping in your legs while walking or exercising which goes away with rest.
• Angina or heart attack: Angina (chest pain) results from a reduction in the blood supply carrying oxygen to your heart, resulting in chest pain (earliest indicators of blockage), while a heart attack develops due to the rupture of a plaque or clot that blocks the artery that carries blood and oxygen to your heart. 
• Stroke: A stroke happens when a blood clot stops blood flow to a portion of your brain, just like a heart attack that results from blockages to the heart.

1. Reduce your intake of saturated fats and processed food: Fast food and packaged snacks and desserts have high levels of saturated fats. Check food labels to see what type of fat is in it. Eat a balanced diet that’s high in fiber, consisting of fruits and vegetables.
2. Reduce extra weight: If you are a woman with a waist circumference of at least 35 inches or a male with a waist circumference of at least 40 inches, your risk of having elevated cholesterol levels increases. Try to lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight.
3. Get cholesterol checked regularly: Have your cholesterol and triglycerides checked by your doctor regularly. 
4. Consume less sodium (salt): Some food items have hidden salt. It's crucial to read labels when shopping. 
5. Give up using tobacco products and smoking: Smoking increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage. If you are seeking help to stop smoking, consult your physician for advice.
6. Exercise more: Try to work out for at least 150 minutes or 2.5 hours a week. Aerobic exercise is one type of physical activity that lowers cholesterol levels. You can go for walking, running, swimming, cycling, etc.
7. Drink alcohol in moderation: Avoid consuming more than 14 units of alcohol a week. Also, refrain from binge drinking (consuming large amounts of alcohol quickly).

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